Jokinen: “Formula Two is the best thing that could have happened for me”

19-year-old Danish driver Johan Jokinen has become the nineteenth racer to join the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship.

Jokinen graduates to the series after starring on his Formula Two debut at the winter test in Valencia last December, setting the fastest time on the opening day. He continued his good form by topping another session in Portimao, Portugal, and remained a consistent frontrunner during the winter testing programme. 

He raced in the F3 Euro Series with the Kolles and Heinz Union team in 2009, having previously finished fourth in the 2008 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC series, where he scored one victory and four podium finishes. He also contested selected races in the ultra competitive Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup. Prior to that, Jokinen enjoyed a superb maiden season in car racing by finishing as the overall runner-up in Formula Ford Denmark, claiming the Formula Ford Junior Cup in the process.

Johan Jokinen said: “Formula Two is the best thing that could have happened for me at this stage of my career. Obviously the value for money is incredible when compared to other series and it gives me the chance to prove myself in equal equipment. I have been really impressed with the organisation of the championship and I would like to thank F2 and the Danish federation for making this opportunity possible. I feel at home with the people and the car in Formula Two – the car feels great and testing went really well. Winning the title is my only goal – of course at the beginning I will be targeting points and podiums, but ultimately I want to win the championship.” 

F2 Series Director Jonathan Palmer said: “I am delighted that Johan has joined the F2 grid and am sure that he will make great use of the opportunity to have a truly competitive car at last.  I was very impressed with Johan’s testing performances and expect him to be a regular visitor to the podium and have a realistic target of winning the championship. Should Johan do so, I have every confidence he will put in a fine performance with his Williams test.”

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Brands Hatch race winner targets championship win and F1 test drive in 2010

20-year-old Austrian driver Philipp Eng has confirmed he will return to Formula Two for a second season, after an impressive debut campaign in 2009 which included two podiums and a dominant win at Brands Hatch.

Eng scored a third place finish during the inaugural weekend in Valencia and repeated the feat at the second event in Brno, Czech Republic. He claimed his first F2 pole position at Brands Hatch in July, which he converted into a lights-to-flag victory at the legendary Kent venue – resisting the challenge of eventual 2009 champion Andy Soucek. He suffered a run of bad luck in the latter part of the season but scored further points finishes at Donington Park, Imola and Barcelona, and finished the year eighth in the overall standings.

The Salzburg-born racer, who is mentored by ex-F1 pilot Christian Danner, has already experienced Formula One machinery having tested with the BMW Sauber Team in 2008 as a reward for winning the BMW World Final the previous year. Now targeting the title in his second F2 campaign, Eng is hoping to win the championship and earn another Formula One test drive prize – this time with the Williams F1 Team.

Philipp Eng said: “I am extremely delighted to be returning to Formula Two – it is just a great feeling to know that I will be racing in a top level single seater series again. It is always a nerve wracking time when you’re trying to secure a drive but now I can sleep easier knowing that I am back in F2! Like some other drivers, I will have the advantage of this being my second season but you cannot take that for granted. Kazim Vasiliauskas and Nicola De Marco will be very strong, Jolyon Palmer also went really well during winter testing and I am sure there will be some good rookies coming too, so it will not be easy. I want to at least finish in the top three overall but my main aim is to win the championship.” 

F2 Series Director Jonathan Palmer said: “Philipp Eng impressed me enormously during the 2009 F2 season. Despite his young age and very limited experience, he proved his natural speed immediately with a remarkable top three place at the first event in Valencia. Philipp’s dominant performance at Brands Hatch, when he won from pole position at a track renowned to be a challenging drivers‘ circuit, was outstanding. I expect Philipp to be a multiple race winner in F2 during 2010 and to finish in the top three in the championship – with a realistic chance of winning it.”

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Stoneman: “F2 is the best and quickest way for me to reach the top”

Formula Renault UK race winner Dean Stoneman has become the latest driver to have signed up for the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship.

19-year-old Stoneman gained a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting young prospects after a superb breakthrough year in the 2008 Formula Renault UK Championship. Dean took three wins, nine podiums and three pole positions in his first year in the series – a better record than former Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s debut season in the same formula.

Dean’s performances earned him a nomination for the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, won in the past by David Coulthard and reigning F1 champion Jenson Button. He remained in Formula Renault for the 2009 season, finishing fourth overall with one victory, eight podiums and one pole to his credit despite some misfortune and reliability issues.

Stoneman’s single seater career dates back to 2006 when the young Briton contested selected rounds of Formula Renault 2.0 UK BARC. He stayed in the series the following year, finishing as the overall runner-up. He went on to contest that season’s Formula Renault UK Winter Series, immediately recording a podium finish.

Dean Stoneman said: “I showed what I am capable of in my first season in Formula Renault, and although I had some bad luck last year I still scored well. I think Andy Soucek showed that if you win F2 you get noticed by some key figures in the sport, and for me Formula Two is the best and quickest way to reach the highest tier of motorsport. The Formula One test drive and the award of an FIA Superlicence for the top three are also big attractions, so this year I will be going out all out to try and win the F2 title.”

F2 Series Director Jonathan Palmer said: “Formula Two is the perfect step for Dean and I’m thrilled he is joining the grid. His strong performances in two years of Formula Renault UK have marked him out as one of the few British drivers with a realistic chance of making it to F1, particularly as he has been racing without the benefit of a leading big name team. With greater reliability, he would have scored even better results. Now with identical equipment to his rivals, Dean will surely be a championship challenger in his first year of F2 and his tough determined character will mean he certainly won’t be overawed by more the experienced drivers.”

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Indian driver becomes 14th entrant as grid takes shape

Parthiva Sureshwaren is the latest driver to secure his place on the Formula Two grid – becoming the second Indian driver in the 2010 line-up.

Sureshwaren began his single seater career in 2001 when he competed in the British F3 National Class. He went on to contest selected races in the Barber Dodge Pro Series in the USA before taking an enforced sabbatical from the sport due to a lack of budget.

Born in Chennai, the Indian racer made his return to competitive motorsport in 2007 when he contested a part season in Formula Renault V6 Asia – scoring two podiums in his first eight races. His performances earned him a call up to race for A1 Team India in Eastern Creek, Australia, and a position as their permanent reserve driver. He raced again for the team in 2008 when he stood in for the injured Narain Karthikeyan in Durban, South Africa. Parthiva also has previous experience of the F2 car, having joined the official winter test in Valencia on the opening day.

Parthiva Sureshwaren said: "I’m really looking forward to the new F2 season, especially as I have already tested the car in Valencia and I know most of the circuits F2 will visit. The car has good downforce and good ground effect aerodynamics, so my first impressions of it were very positive. On top of that the championship is very cost effective for such a high level of motorsport, so it’s great to be joining. My aim is to regularly score points and by mid-season be in a position to score podiums, and I’m confident I can achieve that."

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "Parthiva is our second Indian driver in the 2010 championship, which really affirms F2’s strong international profile, particularly in a country where the popularity of motorsport is growing so quickly now with Karun Chandok graduating to F1. Parthiva has already experienced a similarly high level of motorsport when he competed in A1GP, so I’m sure he will be looking to make a strong start to the season. He certainly faces some tough competition though, and with several very quick young drivers close to finalising their budgets for next year it is looking clear that F2 will soon be full with 24 cars for its second season."

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Euroseries 3000 champion and GP2 racer makes the switch to F2

Will Bratt is the latest driver to confirm that he will join the FIA Formula Two Championship for the 2010 season.

The British racer steps up to F2 after winning the Euroseries 3000 title last season, where he took four race wins, nine podiums and four pole positions in the series now known as Auto GP. Bratt impressively secured pole positions and race victories at Valencia (twice), Zolder and Monza – all circuits that Formula Two will visit in 2010. The 21-year-old also went on to contest the GP2 Asia Series over the winter as part of his Euro 3000 championship prize.

In 2008, Bratt was a frontrunner in Formula 3 Spain and also enjoyed his first run in a GP2 car, where he set the second fastest time during a group test at Paul Ricard. Prior to this, the Oxford University graduate scored wins in Formula Renault 2.0 UK and finished as runner-up in the 2007 Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy. His car racing career began in the UK T-car series, where he won the title with 14 wins from just 18 races in 2004.

Will Bratt said: “I’m really excited about the prospect of driving a Formula Two car. It’s one of the most high-profile and best-promoted championships on the international stage, plus it’s designed to produce a truly level playing field so the onus is on driving talent. Obviously, my aim is to learn the car as quickly as possible and enjoy some good, close and competitive racing but that’s not to underestimate the challenge by any means. My experience racing in Europe should certainly be beneficial but, having said that, we know it’ll be a very tough season.”

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "It is great to see Will progress from Euro 3000 to a major international championship like Formula Two. I am sure that he’ll appreciate racing in a series where there is total equality of equipment for every driver – something that Will has not always benefited from during his career. I first came across Will when he raced in Formula Palmer Audi and he was extremely quick, scoring a podium on his maiden weekend. It was clear to me then that Will had real talent and I am delighted to have another driver of his calibre in the 2010 F2 line-up."

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Formula Palmer Audi frontrunner steps up to international racing

British racer Paul Rees, son of ex-F1 driver Alan Rees, is the latest addition to the FIA Formula Two Championship line-up after his place on the 2010 grid was confirmed today.

Rees joins F2 after taking five podium positions in Formula Palmer Audi last season, which included a hat-trick of rostrums at Brands Hatch in August. 2009 followed a successful maiden campaign in the FPA series where the 23-year-old took pole position on his championship debut and ended the season as the third highest placed rookie. Rees has also raced in both Formula BMW and Formula Renault 2.0 in the UK.

Paul’s father Alan finished third in the 1966 Formula 2 Trophées de France, beating Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill along the way. He then went on to finish fifth in the inaugural Formula 2 Europe championship in 1967, and he also competed in Formula One for Brabham.

Paul has already driven the Williams-designed F2 car during winter testing in Portimão, Portugal and the Oxford driver is now hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father by reaching the highest tier in motorsport.

Paul Rees said: “I am thrilled to be racing in Formula Two – this feels like the natural step on the motorsport ladder for me and I am 100% ready for it. I was really impressed with the F2 car during testing – there is a lot of power, good balance and a great gearbox. My father Alan Rees was a very successful Formula Two driver and it’s a good feeling to be the next generation racing under the same name. F2 is likely to be a two year programme for me – of course Formula One is my ultimate goal but I am fully focussed on succeeding in F2 first. I would like to thank my sponsors who have shown faith in me, Jonathan Palmer and my new management team at Darsena who have made this step possible.”

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "I’m delighted Paul is joining F2. He has completed two seasons of FPA, becoming increasingly competitive, and was leading at a final Snetterton race until suffering a slow puncture. Paul is certainly ready to move up now, and F2 will provide the best learning environment as it is the only series in which all drivers can learn from the fastest by seeing not just data but on board video from every session. I have known Paul’s father Alan since Arrows made me my first F1 offer for 1982 and it’s lovely to have such F1 luminaries as Alan and Debbie Rees as part of the F2 family."

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“This year could be very good for me,” promises Brno polesitter

Italy’s Nicola De Marco has become the latest driver to commit to Formula Two for a second season, following yesterday’s announcement that Kazim Vasiliauskas will also return in 2010.

19-year-old De Marco enjoyed a highly promising maiden season in F2, recording his first pole position in tricky wet conditions in Brno before going on to clinch his first podium a day later, having led for much of the race. He also finished the year strongly with his best result of 2^nd in the final race at Barcelona, finishing close behind 2009 champion Andy Soucek.

The Italian’s single seater career stretches back to 2006, when he won three races and finished third overall in his maiden season in Formula Azzurra. He stepped up to Formula 3 Italy in 2007, scoring podiums on a regular basis and clinching one pole, before a strong 2008 campaign saw him outclass his RP Motorsport team-mates and finish fourth in Spanish F3, with two race wins and four podiums to his credit.

Nicola De Marco said: “I’m really happy to be returning for a second season of Formula Two. This year could be very good for me – I know the car, I know the series, so it’s possible to put together a very good championship. I finished last year very strongly with my best result in the final race, and I also had some good results along the way, so for sure I’m only looking at winning the title. It will be difficult of course, but for me Formula Two is the best championship and gives me the best opportunity to progress, so it’s great to be coming back.”

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said; “Nicola, very sensibly, is another front running 2009 F2 driver to build on what he learnt last year to give himself the best chance of winning the most prestigious FIA single seater championship after F1.  He finished the F2 season as the fastest Italian driver and is being entirely realistic to believe he can take the title in 2010.  One of the youngest drivers in F2, Nicola had a tough time last year combining his university studies with racing but will be more relaxed and confident this season.  Capable of blistering pace and great consistency, I have no doubt Nicola will be a regular podium visitor in 2010.”

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Lithuanian eyeing championship glory and Williams F1 test drive

Formula Two race winner Kazim Vasiliauskas has become the latest driver to be confirmed on the 2010 grid after announcing his return to the series today (12/03).

Vasiliauskas, 19, played a starring role in the 2009 season, scoring his maiden race victory in Imola after starting from pole and sealing seventh in the overall championship, despite it being his first full season in single seaters.

Kazim further belied his age and relative inexperience by taking podiums at Valencia, Donington Park and Oschersleben, and remarkably ended the season as one of only three drivers to have scored points in every round of the season, alongside 2009 Champion Andy Soucek and third-placed Mikhail Aleshin. He also outscored everyone but Soucek and Aleshin over the second half of the season, cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting prospects in world motorsport.

Vasiliauskas, who topped the timesheets in the recent F2 test at Portimão, made history last year by becoming the first Lithuanian ever to compete in international single seaters. He has also tested GP2 and GP3 during the off-season but chose to return to F2 for a second season.

Kazim Vasiliauskas said: "For sure this year I’m expecting to win the championship. Last year my form was very good, and I finished the second half of the year very strongly. Now I have more experience, and I know the F2 operation and most of the circuits on the calendar. I believe in myself completely, so winning is the only target.

"This year through testing I was able to compare GP2, GP3 and Formula Two, and for me F2 represents the best package: the car has been improved, everyone has the same machinery and the prize is very good. F2 is for sure the right option for me, and I would like to thank Darsena, my managers, for giving me this opportunity. Of course it also helps that I have already driven in the series, and now I look forward to the season ahead!"

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: “For someone of such little experience, Kazim made a big impact in his first year of F2, taking an astonishing podium in the opening event at Valencia.  By competing in FPA and F2 in 2009 Kazim gained a lot of experience and used this, coupled with his outstanding natural talent, to be able to take his first well deserved win by Imola. I believe Kazim has all the attributes required to earn an F1 drive for 2011.  He is always quick, makes few mistakes, is extremely competitive and crucially very intelligent. He is going to be a very strong challenger for the championship and should he win I have no doubt he will impress Williams F1 when he tests at the end of year.  With the benefit of Darsena’s management, I really believe he could be the first Lithuanian in F1 in 2011.”

Drivers interested in competing in the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship should contact the Championship Co-ordinator, James Gornall, at james.gornall@formulatwo.com or on 0044 1234 332439.

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19-year-old Briton aiming for maiden F2 victory in 2010

Jolyon Palmer has today (10/03) confirmed that he will return to the Formula Two line-up in 2010 for his second year in the F1 feeder series.

Jolyon, son of 1983 F2 champion and ex-F1 driver Jonathan Palmer, graduated to Formula Two last season after finishing third in the 2008 Formula Palmer Audi Championship. One of the youngest competitors in the 2009 F2 field, he made a promising start to the season when he recorded his first top ten finish in the second round at Brno in the Czech Republic.

Palmer, 19, went on to perform well at both Spa-Francorchamps and Brands Hatch, before scoring his first points of the season with a sixth place finish in the second race at Imola in September.

The Comma-backed Briton also joined F2 for all four days of winter testing, beating an exceptional field to set the fastest time of day two at Portimão, Portugal. After gaining valuable experience in his first year of international single seater racing, Palmer admits he will be looking to launch himself towards the front of the field in the forthcoming campaign.

Jolyon Palmer said: “Last season was a little disappointing for me until towards the end of the year when I scored my first points. I was also quick during winter testing and hopefully I can carry this momentum into my second F2 campaign. The testing in Portimão in December was particularly competitive and I went really well there, so this is hopefully a good sign that I can run at the front and get my first win in F2 this season. I am used to the one team environment having been in FPA previously and then in F2, and I really feel I can get the best out of it. I will start the season on a race by race basis to see where I stand compared to the other drivers, but I really feel that I have the potential to be a contender and if things go my way, maybe even win the title.”

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "As with a number of young drivers, F2 was always going to be a multi year programme for Jolyon. Last year was very challenging – I think many people underestimated just how tough the competition was – but Jo improved encouragingly over the final couple of events. He was right on the pace in winter testing and should be a regular points scorer in 2010 when he will be hoping to match the pace of the current field, plus some well respected, quick drivers who are about to finalise their F2 budgets and be announced next week.”

Drivers interested in competing in the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship should contact the Championship Co-ordinator, James Gornall, at james.gornall@formulatwo.com or on 0044 1234 332439.

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Formula Two to play central role in Award’s final assessment process

The FIA Formula Two Championship will play a pivotal part in the 22^nd McLaren Autosport BRDC Award after today (04/03) announcing a partnership to supply six Williams JPH1B cars for the final driver assessment process.

The prestigious award – previously won by David Coulthard and reigning FIA Formula One World Champion Jenson Button – is set to undergo one of the biggest enhancements in its history thanks to the link-up with Formula Two. The move to supply six F2 cars will transform the driver assessment process as there will be enough machines to enable all of the finalists to be on the track at the same time – something that had proved impossible in the past.

Formula Two will now provide the cars and the engineering support for the award, whilst there are also plans in place for a frontrunner from the 2010 championship to provide a benchmark for the six MABA finalists. There is the potential to change the format to include qualifying runs, race simulations, pitstops and technical feedback appraisals.

The McLaren Autosport BRDC Award is the world’s premier young driver award, aimed at rewarding the best young racing drivers from the UK, where a final shortlist of six drivers are evaluated both in and out of a number of racing cars. An experienced panel of judges decide on a winner who is then awarded a £50,000 cash prize and a test in a McLaren Formula One car.

Formula 3 had previously been used for the single seater element, but a lack of cars often meant that drivers were assessed at different times and in differing weather conditions, whilst a number of drivers also gained an advantage by testing an F3 car prior to the shootout.

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: “The single seater is the most important part of the evaluation, but it’s frustrating to have to run drivers in batches because of the resources that have previously been available.

“Even if we tested in Spain the track conditions would vary with temperature. Comparing drivers in different weather conditions and at different times complicates the whole process. Using six F2 cars will allow the judges to compare drivers in the same cars at the same time.

“This gives us a real opportunity to get creative with the appraisal. We can do more running and give the judges a huge amount more data with which to evaluate the drivers.”

Long-serving MABA judge and veteran commentator Ian Titchmarsh said: “Just like F2 itself as a racing category, the introduction of F2 cars into the Award test days will provide a much more level playing field, while at the same time offering the opportunity to test the finalists in ways which have simply not been possible previously.”

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Drivers from seven countries and three continents confirmed so far

The 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship grid continues to take shape with Frenchman Benjamin Lariche today (3/3) confirmed as the latest driver to have secured his place in the line-up – joining a list of drivers from seven countries and three continents to have signed up so far.

Lariche’s single seater career dates back to 2006 when he contested the Formula Renault Campus France series, scoring podiums in his maiden season. The 22-year-old then stepped up to French Formula Renault in 2007. The following season Lariche moved into Formula Renault 2.0 WEC, where he scored his first single seater victory with a win at Valencia – beating a host of talented rivals including Red Bull’s F1 reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo. The same year Lariche also contested one race in the Formula Junior FR 2.0 Portugal series, which he also won. Lariche remained in the Formula Renault 2.0 WEC series for 2009 and also contested six races in Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup.

Lariche joined all four days of F2 winter testing at the end of 2009. He ran well throughout, posting the fifth fastest time on the opening day in Valencia.

Benjamin Lariche said: “I am very excited and impatient to begin a new season in Formula Two – I haven’t raced since December and it has been too long! Last year in Formula Renault 2.0 I was the only driver in my team, so I didn’t have any data to compare with. This year in Formula Two it will be good to have the data and videos of the fastest driver and I hope to improve my driving with these interesting tools. It is also going to be really exciting driving this powerful and competitive car, particularly with the new upgrades. I feel confident after the F2 winter tests – my main target is to just keep improving as a driver and I hope to finish in the points as often as possible, and why not score some podiums!”

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: “France has a history of producing great drivers, and last year we had race-winner Julien Jousse in Formula Two. Benjamin has already competed against another talented Frenchman, Ferrari’s Jules Bianchi, in 2007 and I have no doubt he will be eager to emulate Jousse’s performances from last year and be the leading French F2 driver in 2010. He had a great approach and got on well with everyone in the team during the winter F2 tests, and I look forward to seeing him build upon on that testing experience to become a frontrunner in the 2010 Formula Two season.”

Interested drivers should contact the Championship Co-ordinator, James Gornall, at james.gornall@formulatwo.com or on 0044 1234 332439.

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Angolan becomes first African driver to compete in F2

Angolan racer Ricardo Teixeira will compete in the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship after making the switch from GP2 today (02/03).

Teixeira will be one of the most experienced drivers in the F2 field this year, having spent two seasons in the British F3 International class in 2007 and 2008, whilst also contesting the Zandvoort Masters and RTL GP Masters of F3. In 2008 he made the switch to the GP2 Asia Series with Trident Racing, before staying with the team for an assault on the main GP2 series in 2009.

Ricardo has already experienced the Williams JPH1 F2 car, having joined all four days of official winter testing last December. He showed promising pace from the outset, finishing inside the top eight in Valencia.

Ricardo Teixeira said: “After having participated in British F3 and GP2, I am now really looking forward to competing in the F2 championship. I hope to make best use of my experience and to benefit from the principle of equality that pervades F2 in showing my potential this year. This may be my first year in F2 but I expect to improve quickly in the first races.”

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "I’m delighted to welcome Ricardo Teixeira, our first African driver, to Formula Two. The equality of F2 provides the perfect environment for Ricardo to prove his talent and I’m sure he’ll make the most of the opportunity and be pushing for points this season. Coming from GP2, Ricardo will really appreciate the recent performance upgrades Williams and MSV have made to the JPH1B F2 car.”

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International Formula Master runner-up eyes F2 title attack in 2010

Sergey Afanasiev has today (01/03) become the second Russian driver to join the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship.

Afanasiev, part of the Lukoil Driver Support Programme, joins the series after an impressive 2009 campaign which saw him finish as runner-up in the International Formula Master series. He scored one race victory and nine podiums from the 16 races, including top three finishes at Brno, Brands Hatch and Oschersleben – all circuits F2 will visit in 2010. The 21-year-old also competed in IFM in 2008, recording one victory, two podiums and one pole.

Despite his young age the Russian’s single seater career dates back to 2004 when he won the Formula Russia championship in his maiden season. He went on to become a multiple race winner in Formula Renault 2.0 and also competed in the F3 EuroSeries and Formula Renault 3.5.

Afanasiev follows Ivan Samarin as the second Russian to join F2 for 2010, and Sergey will be hoping to repeat the 2009 success of fellow countryman Mikhail Aleshin, who finished third in last year’s FIA Formula Two Championship.

He said: "It is very difficult to find the right category each year and success in other series depends not only on a driver but also the right car, the right people and engineers. I’m pleased that the F2 car has been advanced for 2010 and I’m sure it will be really fast. I’m excited about the overboost button, which I cannot wait to try during a race weekend. My target is to first understand a new car and also to learn some fantastic circuits that I have never been to before. There will be many good drivers in the championship but I expect to be fighting for podiums.”

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: “I’m very pleased Sergey has joined F2 and it will be the perfect championship for him to prove his talent.  There is clearly a great deal of Russian talent emerging and Sergey’s championship second place in Formula Master last year proves he is amongst the best, which is why he has been selected by Lukoil, who were also involved in F2 last season, for their young driver support programme.  Sergey has had the benefit of seeing how F2 works last year when Formula Master supported the WTCC/F2 events, so it is a natural graduation and I expect him to be challenging for podiums.”

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Briton aiming for championship title in second F2 campaign

21-year-old Jack Clarke, the stepson of former F1 racer Julian Bailey, is the latest addition to the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship grid, after signing up to contest his second season in the series.

Clarke’s return to Formula Two follows a promising maiden campaign in 2009, where the Briton scored points finishes at Spa-Francorchamps and Oschersleben.

Prior to Clarke’s graduation to international motorsport, the Surrey racer was a consistent frontrunner in the UK Formula Palmer Audi Championship. He took a total of six wins and 19 podium positions in his two years of competition, and finished fourth in the overall standings in 2007. His single seater career began in 2006 when he competed in the Formula BMW UK series and the ultra competitive Formula BMW World Final, in Valencia, Spain.

Jack Clarke said: “I am delighted to be returning to Formula Two and I’m looking forward to taking advantage of the experience I gained in the first season. I have a lot of mileage and knowledge of the car and operation, and I feel this will certainly help. I am aiming for podiums and wins – last season I had less experience than the majority of drivers but now I expect to hit the ground running as I look to carry good momentum into my second campaign. It is a big boost to see Andy Soucek get a Formula One deal and I wouldn’t mind being where he is this time next year. It is a credit to him and the championship, and hopefully I will be that person to take the title and the F1 test in 2010.”

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "I am delighted that Jack Clarke will be continuing in F2 during 2010. As with all the FPA graduates, F2 was a big jump last year but Jack put in some determined race performances and will undoubtedly be a lot more experienced, confident and competitive this season. Jack should be aiming for top six places and even podiums and he has the talent to achieve it."

Interested drivers should contact the Championship Co-ordinator, James Gornall, at james.gornall@formulatwo.com or on 0044 1234 332439.

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Russian racer steps up to international motorsport for 2010

21-year-old Ivan Samarin will contest his maiden season in international single seater racing after signing up to join the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship.

Samarin graduates to F2 after finishing as runner-up in Formula 3 Russia in 2008, which followed two championship-winning seasons in Formula 1600 Russia in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Ivan boasts a record of nine wins and 17 podiums in his 40 single seater races to date.

The Russian driver also enjoyed an encouraging debut run in Formula Two when he took part in the two day winter test at Portimao, Portugal in December. He set an impressive pace to end the opening day in the top six overall, and eventually finished the test just eight tenths of a second behind pacesetter Kazim Vasiliauskas.

Samarin is the second Russian driver to have competed in the revived FIA Formula Two Championship after Mikhail Aleshin finished third in last year’s campaign.

Ivan Samarin said: “I am really excited to be joining Formula Two for the 2010 season. The concept of the championship really appeals to me – of course the costs are key but more importantly it is great that every driver has the same car and opportunity. The car is fun to drive and it is definitely the logical step up from Formula 3. It will be tough but I am aiming for the top three – it is down to me and I hope to be challenging for podiums by mid-season.”

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "Russia is producing some excellent drivers now. Mikhail Aleshin was terrific in Formula Two last year and Sergey Afanasiev did a great job in finishing as runner-up in International Formula Master. Ivan rightly has ambitions to be in F1 and we’re delighted to have him in the championship as a step towards this goal. F2 is the perfect place for Ivan to learn and develop his skills, against drivers in equal equipment. Being able to compare his performance with the fastest driver, every session, through the shared data concept and onboard camera aids uniquely available in Formula Two will help Ivan prove his undoubted talent and provide the opportunity for him to be at the front of the field."

Interested drivers should contact the Championship Co-ordinator, James Gornall, at james.gornall@formulatwo.com or on 0044 1234 332439.

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